Singapore is a beautiful island city-state known for its strange laws, serene environment, and outstanding cuisines and arts festivals. It remains the only island in the Southeastern part of Asia, formed by 63 islands. These attributes constitute attractions that magnetise thousands of tourists and visitors to Singapore every year. The small island nation located somewhere in East Asia also enjoys a reputation for top-notch standards of education and learning. The nation’s established status as a beacon of qualitative education owes to its excellent educational institutions; some of the best will be discussed in this publication. According to surveys by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the country has enjoyed a decade’s long existence at the top of international educational league tables along with Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Finland. When it comes to studying in a foreign country, Singapore may probably not be the first destination that pops into one’s mind, but it is definitely one of the best places to consider.
1. National University of Singapore (NUS)
The National University of Singapore is a research university situated in Queenstown, Singapore. The university, which was established in 1905, is renowned as Singapore’s finest academic institution, with an excellent standing within Asia and beyond. The school ranks eleventh in the world and first in Asia according to the 2022 QS World University Rankings. The Times Higher Education rankings of 2022 rank the university as the 21st top school globally. The 2021 Scimago Institutions placed it as the 29th best school globally. The school allows students to undertake undergraduate and graduate degree programmes in various academic fields such as the sciences, accounting, management, technology, engineering, mathematics, medical sciences, law, arts, social sciences, computer, music etc. It operates on a multi-site campus system, with four campuses spread across various locations in Queenstown, Singapore. It also has affiliations and partnerships with regional and international institutions such as Peking University, Korea University, Duke University, John Hopkins University, Harvard, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of Michigan, Karolinska Institutet and Yale University. The university’s alumni body is a star-studded cast featuring four Singaporean leaders, notable politicians, distinguished national and international bureaucrats, captains of industry and celebrity figures. The university offers a number of scholarship programmes to qualified students such as Science and Technology Undergraduate Scholarship, Asian Development Bank- Japan Scholarship, BCA-Industry Built Environment Undergraduate Scholarship, Science and Technology Undergraduate Scholarship, Narotam Sekhsaria’s Scholarships, K. C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad, Hani Zeini Scholarship, Harvey Fellowship, Benjy Grinberg Scholarship, CIMB ASEAN Scholarship, Dr Goh Keng Swee Scholarship, Evolve Warrior Scholarship, GIC Scholarship, Saudi Aramco Scholarship, Kuok Foundation Undergraduate Awards etc. These scholarships cover tuition and living allowances for Singaporean and international students. The tuition fees for the university typically fall between $8,000 to $13,000 per year.
2. Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is situated in Jurong West, Singapore. Established in 1981 as the Nanyang Technological Institute, the university was constituted in its present form in 1991. The university structurally houses a collection of various colleges and schools such as the College of Engineering, College of Science, Nanyang Business School, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, National Institute of Education, etc. The university is equally home to a number of research centres such as the Energy Research Institute, the Earth Observatory of Singapore, the Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute and the Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering. The institution also operates a multi-site campus, with three campuses spread across various locations in Singapore. The university offers graduate and undergraduate study programmes in academic disciplines such as medicine, accountancy, engineering, business, computer engineering, electronics, marketing, international construction management, psychology, banking and finance, information engineering and media, project management, digital animation, economics, arts, photography etc. The university is ranked among the top 12 leading universities globally and the top three leading universities in Asia according to the 2022 QS World University Rankings. The university ranks high on other ranking criteria by QS World University Rankings such as academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, citations, international faculty ration and international students’ ratio. The university matches the National University of Singapore in terms of the composition of its alumni body. The university has trained and graduated students who have gone on to assume top roles in the Indonesian military and law enforcement units, captains of industries, Singaporean and international politics and bureaucracy, as well as illustrious media personalities and public figures.
3. Singapore Management University
The Singapore Management University was established in July 2000. The university, situated at 81 Victoria Street, Singapore, offers graduate and undergraduate degree study opportunities in an array of academic disciplines such as business administration, business analytics, accountancy, economics, information systems management, law and social sciences. The university is structured into six schools, namely: Lee Kong Chian School of Business, School of Economics, School of Computing and Information Systems, Yong Pung How School of Law, School of Social Sciences and School of Accountancy. According to the QS World University Rankings, the university ranks among the top 520 leading universities globally and top 107 leading Asian universities. The university is ranked 38th globally according to QS World University Ranking by subject. The university’s alumni include media personalities, entertainers, politicians and an Olympic medalist.
4. James Cook University, Singapore
James Cook University, Singapore is a private-funded university located at 149 Sims Drive, Singapore. The university, which was established in 2003, operates as the Singaporean campus of James Cook University Australia. The university offers graduate and undergraduate degree programmes in the academic fields of business, information technology, psychology, education, science, accounting, aquaculture, environmental science, games design, tourism and hospitality and commerce. Its mother institution, James Cook University, has been ranked 424 globally and among the top 50 young global universities by the QS World Universities Rankings. The university’s excellent academic heritage is further demonstrated by its status as part of Australia’s top 20 best global universities and top 22 global universities in Australia and New Zealand.
5. PSB Academy
PSB Academy is a private-funded educational institution established in 1964. The institution is structured into six schools, namely: the School of Foundation Studies, School of Business and Management, School of Engineering and Technology, School of Life and Physical Science, School of Postgraduate Studies and Digital Academy. It is known for operating on a multi-site campus, with two campuses spread across many locations in Singapore. The institution’s course offerings cover diploma, certificate, bachelor degree, master’s degree and doctorate degree levels. These courses are offered in the following academic fields: accounting and finance, analytics, business management, cyber security, engineering, environmental and occupational health and safety, hospitality and tourism, human resources, information technology and computer science, language, life sciences, logistics and supply chain management, media and communications, sport sciences and general studies. The institution also offers a host of scholarship programmes such as the PSB Academy-University of Nottingham Postgraduate Scholarship. The institution maintains affiliations and partnerships with regional and global institutions such as Coventry University, Edith Cowan University, Massey University and the University of Nottingham. The QS World Universities Ranking ranks the university 395 globally. It is renowned for its high research output.
6. Singapore University of Social Sciences
Singapore University of Social Sciences is a public-funded university established in 2017. Interested students are offered full-time and part-time graduate and undergraduate degree programmes in 90 courses domiciled in the following academic disciplines: linguistics and languages, humanities and social sciences, social services, management, education, business administration, built environment and finance. The university is structured into the following schools, colleges and research centres: College of Lifelong and Experiential Learning, S R Nathan School of Human Development, School of Business, School of Law, School of Science and Technology, Business Intelligence and Analytics, Centre for Applied Research, Teaching and Learning Centre, Centre for Chinese Studies, Counseling and Life Coaching, School of Humanities and Behavioural Sciences, Node for Inclusive Fintech.
7. Management Development Institute of Singapore
The Management Development Institute of Singapore was brought into existence in 1956. Described as Singapore’s oldest vocational university, the institute offers study opportunities in the academic fields of business management, engineering, mass communication, fashion, psychology, life sciences, languages and education, safety and environmental management and hospitality management. The institute maintains international campuses in Uzbekistan and Malaysia. It also maintains partnerships with international institutions such as the University of Central Oklahoma, Northumbria University Newcastle, Prifysgol Bangor University, Teesside University, University of Roehampton London and the University of Sunderland.
8. Curtin University
Curtin University is a private-funded institution established in 2008. The institution operates as the Singaporean campus of Curtin University Australia. Curtin University offers a wide range of graduate, undergraduate and diploma degree programmes in courses domiciled in the academic disciplines of commerce, arts, communications, information technology, data science, business administration, engineering, health sciences and nursing science. The university is ranked 149th globally in the 2022 QS World University Ranking. In 2021, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings perked Curtin University at 246th in the world.